The Belles

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The Belles is a dystopian young adult novel series by Dhonielle Clayton, consisting of two books: The Belles (2018) and The Everlasting Rose (2019). Both books are Junior Library Guild selections.[1][2]

Reception[]

The Belles (2018)[]

The Belles, published February 6, 2018 by Disney-Hyperion, is a New York Times best seller.[3] The book received starred reviews from Kirkus[3] and Booklist,[4] as well as positive reviews from School Library Journal,[5] Horn Book,[1] and Publishers Weekly.[6]

Booklist applauded Clayton's examination of "the price of beauty in a society that reveres it," refusing to "shy away from facing uncomfortable truths in our own society."[4] The Horn Book echoed the sentiment, explaining that "while Clayton’s primary theme is the destructiveness wrought by societally imposed beauty ideals, she also touches upon other systems of exploitation, including slavery, racism and colorism, rape culture, and forced labor."[1]

Booklist also appreciated how Clayton incorporated race throughout the novel, stating that it holds up a mirror to "literature today, ... that fetishizes and commodifies [women of color]."[4]

The audiobook, narrated by Rosie Jones, received a positive review from Booklist, who noted that "Clayton’s exotic world is perfectly matched to narrator Jones’ breathy and silky-smooth voice."[7]

The Chicago Public Library and Kirkus named The Belles one of the best young adult books of the year.[3]

The Everlasting Rose (2019)[]

The Everlasting Rose was published March 5, 2019 by Freeform. The book received starred reviews from Kirkus[8] and Booklist,[9] as well as positive reviews from The Horn Book[2] and School Library Journal.[10]

Booklist preferred the sequel to the original book, stating, "Although The Belles is a phenomenal read, this is even more staggering. Clayton seizes the opportunity to expound upon Orléans, rendering a world that is breathtaking and crushing, beautiful and vile, and whimsical and terrifying. She poignantly uses a harrowing, fantastical tale to illuminate the very real horrors of unattainable beauty standards and the enslavement of marginalized bodies. As relevant as it is exquisite."[9] The Horn Book disagreed with the improvement, noting, "This second installment in the duology is more repetitively plotted than the first, and particularly overuses a device of an ally dying mere moments after being reunited with Camille."[2]

Awards[]

Awards for The Belles series
Year Work Award Result Ref.
2018 The Belles American Library Association Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection [11]
Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth Selection [12]
Chicago Public Library Best Teen Book Covers of the Year Selection [13]
Chicago Public Library Best Teen Fiction of the Year Selection [14]
Goodreads Choice Award for Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction Nominee [15]
Junior Library Guild selection Selection [1]
2019 ALA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Selection [16]
Children's & Teen Choice Book Awards Finalist [1]
Locus Award for Best Young Adult Book Nominee [17]
Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book Nominee [18]
The Everlasting Rose Junior Library Guild selection Selection [2]
2020 IGNYTE Award for Best Young Adult Novel Nominee [19]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e "The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton". Junior Library Guild. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  2. ^ a b c d "The Everlasting Rose by Dhonielle Clayton". Junior Library Guild. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  3. ^ a b c "The Belles". Kirkus Reviews. 2017-11-13. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  4. ^ a b c Reagan, Maggie (2017-12-01). "The Belles". Booklist. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  5. ^ Abron, Dawn. "The Belles". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  6. ^ "Children's Book Review: The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton. Freeform, $17.99 (448p) ISBN 978-1-4847-2849-9". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  7. ^ Karavitis, Martha (2018-06-12). "The Belles". Booklist. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  8. ^ "The Everlasting Rose". Kirkus Reviews. 2018-12-09. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  9. ^ a b Davenport, Enishia (2018-12-15). "The Everlasting Rose". Booklist. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  10. ^ Alexander, Karen. "The Everlasting Rose". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  11. ^ "Best Fiction for Young Adults: 2019". Booklist. 2019-03-15. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  12. ^ "Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2018". Booklist. 2019-01-01. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  13. ^ "Best Teen Book Covers of 2018". Chicago Public Library. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  14. ^ "Best Teen Fiction of 2018". Chicago Public Library. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  15. ^ "The Belles". Goodreads. Retrieved 2022-01-03.[self-published]
  16. ^ "Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults: 2019". Booklist. 2019-03-15. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  17. ^ "2019 Locus Awards Winners". Locus Online. 2019-06-29. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  18. ^ "2019 Hugo Awards". The Hugo Awards. 2019-07-28. Retrieved 2022-01-03.
  19. ^ Tejada, Andrew (2020-10-17). "Announcing the Winners of the Inaugural Ignyte Awards!". Tor.com. Retrieved 2022-01-03.


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